ELLENSBURG (Mar. 9) -- Seven high school seniors from the state of Washington have signed National Letters of Intent to continue their soccer careers at Central Washington University beginning this fall, CWU head coach Michael Farrand announced.

Joining the Wildcats for the 2010 season are Kori Butterfield (Duvall/Cedarcrest HS), Caitlin Calnan (Olympia/Tumwater HS), Tarah Duty (Black Diamond/Tahoma HS), Ashlyn Keller (Yakima/Eisenhower HS), Rebecca Lane (Montesano), Mackenzie Meyers (Covington/Kentwood HS), and Kaylee Osterman (Maple Valley/Tahoma HS).

“We have found girls who have either played in systems similar to ours, have played together for a long time, or have ties to Central through their coaches,” Farrand explained. “This year's class emphasizes the model of finding girls that fit us technically and athletically, from programs similar to us, and of girls who can come in and compete right away, and all (seven) share those attributes.”

Three of the Wildcats' signees have been teammates on the same club team, the FC Marauders, including Tarah Duty and Kaylee Osterman, who were also prep teammates at Tahoma High School. Mackenzie Meyers, who attends Kentwood High School, was a club teammate of the Tahoma duo for FC Marauders. All three were all-South Puget Sound League 4A team selections, with Duty and Osterman leading the Bears to the SPSL North championship as seniors. Duty added honorable mention all-state honors, while Osterman was the league's leading scorer in 2009. Meyers helped lead Kentwood to a third-place finish in the 4A state tournament this past season.

“We had a chance to watch Tahoma in the state quarterfinals, and we're really pleased of the progress that both players (Duty and Osterman) have made from one year to next,” Farrand said. “Duty is a left-footed defender who passes well, and the new coach at Tahoma did a good job taking that team to another level among state competition. Osterman is a midfielder/forward who is very athletic and physically strong. She brings a tremendous work rate and desire to get better within our program.

“Meyers is another central midfielder who plays for a successful program at Kentwood. She is fairly fast, and should be a good technical player for us. We are hoping she can challenge for a spot at outside midfielder position.”

Two other signees were also club teammates as Rebecca Lane and Caitlin Calnan have played together on the Black Hills Soccer Club, which is directed by CWU alum Dave Cross. Lane, who attends Montesano High School, was a three-time Evergreen Conference Defensive Player of the Year, while Calnan was twice a first-team all-Evergreen Conference selection while helping Tumwater to four consecutive conference titles.

“We had a chance to catch both players later in the (recruiting) process than normal,” Farrand said. “We are excited about their work ethic and their desire to be a part of Central soccer. Lane is going to have a chance to play as a defensive midfielder. She is very physical, a good technical player, and at 5-foot-8, she has good height at middle of the field. Calnan can play either as a midfielder or an outside back. She has good speed, is a good passer, and I will be anxious to see where she fits into our program.”

Kori Butterfield, a goalkeeper, was a prep teammate of three-year Wildcat starter Amanda Biggs at Cedarcrest during Butterfield's freshman season. She earned second-team all-Cascade Conference accolades during her junior season with the Red Wolves.

“We were fortunate to see Cedarcrest's playoff game during (Amanda) Biggs' senior year, and Kori played in their run to the championship game as a freshman,” Farrand said. “We have followed her career extensively ever since and we're really excited to have her. She brings us a bit more height in goal, and the ability to make more reaction saves. We are hopeful she will come in and compete right away and have positive impact on our program.”

The Wildcats also signed a local standout to join the program in 2010 in the person of Ashlyn Keller from Eisenhower High School in Yakima. An outside midfielder, Keller has played for the Cadets at the high school level, with the Sun City Striker Club, and is now currently playing club soccer for the Three Rivers Fusion. She was a first-team all-Columbia Basin Big Nine League choice as a senior, totaling 14 goals and 12 assists in league play this past fall.

“We have had a chance to watch her club team for past few years and see her progress at Eisenhower,” Farrand said of Keller.” I have always liked her desire to compete. She is fast, tenacious, and will bring added depth and competition to the outside midfielder position.”

Central Washington finished its 2009 season fourth in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference standings with a 5-6-1 league record and 8-10-1 overall. The Wildcats lost just three seniors to graduation, two of which were everyday starters on the defensive half of the field.